Music on the Rock: Tribute to Michael Jackson

Special to the Times-News

Published: Sunday, July 14, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 12, 2013 at 10:57 a.m.

The next "Music on the Rock" series concert, "A Tribute to Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5," opens Wednesday at Playhouse Downtown, 125 S. Main St., Hendersonville. The show stars Los Angeles performer Alfred Jackson.

Born and raised in south-central Los Angeles, Alfred Jackson realized he wanted to become a professional entertainer at an early age. He has proven his passion by seeking out career opportunities in the theater, music, television and film industry. Jackson's credits include writing and producing music for E! Entertainment's "In Your Dreams" and David E. Kelley's "Ally McBeal" TV series.

He received the 2010 NAACP Award for best choreographer in a stage play, "Sarafina." He has worked with entertainment professionals such as Diane Warren, Rodney Jerkins, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Brian Michael Cox and Mario Winans. Jackson's credits also include writing and co-producing a No. 1 hit single for South African solo artist Loyiso. His theater experience includes "Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror" in Reno, Nev., and Japan.

American superstar Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Ind., and entertained audiences nearly his entire life. His father, Joe Jackson, had been a guitarist but was forced to give up his musical ambitions after his marriage to Katherine Scruse. Together, they prodded their growing family's musical interests at home.

By the early 1960s, Michael's older brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine had begun performing around the city; by 1964, Michael and Marlon had joined in.

A musical prodigy, Michael's singing and dancing talents were amazingly mature, and he soon became the dominant voice and focus of The Jackson 5. An opening act for such soul groups as the O'Jays and James Brown, Gladys Knight officially brought the group to Berry Gordy's attention, and by 1969, the boys were producing back-to-back chart-busting hits as Motown artists ("I Want You Back," "ABC," "Never Can Say Goodbye," "Got to Be There," etc.).

A solo career for Michael Jackson was inevitable, and by the 1980s, he had become infinitely more popular than his brotherly group. He recorded the biggest-selling album of all time, "Thriller," in 1982. A TV natural, he ventured rather uneasily into films, such as playing the Scarecrow in "The Wiz" (1978), but had much better luck with elaborate music videos.

In the 1990s, the downside of being a 1980s pop phenomenon began to show. Jackson grew childlike and introverted. His physical appearance changed drastically, and his behavior grew bizarre, making him a consistent target for tabloids, despite his numerous charitable acts.

Jackson's life ended on June 25, 2009, at age 50, because of drug-induced cardiac arrest, just as he was coming out of a four-year reclusive period and rehearsing for a sold-out London comeback concert.

Rug & Home presents "A Tribute to Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5" at Playhouse Downtown from Wednesday-Saturday and July 23-26. Performances are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. All tickets are $24.

Call 828-693-0731, 866-732-8008 or visit www.flatrock playhouse.org.

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